Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Normally a rug this size (29x32) would have been completely hooked by now since it was started the beginning of November. But, since taking a detour to hook and assemble Snowman Stocking designed by Kelley Belfast and listing items on ebay it has slowed me down.Another slow down was the misshapen blocks at the top and the bottom border. Trying to get them to look anything similar to the original antique was agonizing.

Below is the original which was hooked 1900 using wool, rags and hooked on burlap.

Am hoping smoother sailing for the rest of the rug. Honestly....as long as I'm hooking I'm happy. Yet sitting in the wings is another antique adaptation drawn and waiting for me. I'm itching to get to it since that one is a Magdalena Briner Eby design.Guess everyone is busily wrapping presents, baking cookies (not me), or doing last minute shopping for Christmas. Saundra

Sunday, December 16, 2018

I've not been doing much hooking so haven't much progress to show you on the Star Geometric today either. In addition to house cleaning and other mundane house chores, I've been taking photos and listing things on eBay. Amazing how much time it takes to take the photos, crop them and get the listing done. But am determined to see if I can recoup some of the money invested in all these hobbies vs. taking it all to the thrift shop for nothing.Finally came to the realization I will not make another doll so am beginning to get rid of that stash, also have listed a couple rug patterns, and this Cheri Payne quilt pattern booklet.

You can check out that listing and others on eBay.I have some cute Little Quilts patterns and a bunch of vintage feed sack fabric which will be listed too but am tired of taking pictures and wand to do some hooking. So those will be listed later next week.Saundra

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Finally scrubbed my kitchen floor and even got on my hands and knees to wash the baseboard and edges of the floor. Now my back and knees are paying the price. But at least the Santa display has a clean room.

The Santa was one which didn't sell at the last show I did and decided to keep him. Actually I still have a couple other Santa dolls I'd made and couldn't decide which one to use. Of course I hooked the vintage Santa and Deer rug.Because yesterday disappeared with cleaning there were very few loops pulled on Star Geo. Am hoping to accomplish a little something in that department today.Two days ago I did something stupid ~ I had a link to my old web site on the right side bar but because no changes could be made to it decided to delete it and add my active Weebly web site. With all the changes Google has made to Blogger was not able to post it. So here I am with nothing. Am going to try to circumvent that problem by posting something here. If you would like to check out my RUG PATTERNS click on that link.Saundra

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

While perusing an on-line auction site I came across a few rugs from the estate of Molly Nye Toby so wrote to my friend Evelyn asking what she knew about her. Well of course Evelyn did and she informed me she hooked 50 State rugs and was featured at the Shelburne Museum. The rug below is a rug titled Apple Pie and love her choice of colors tho mine normally are more dark and primitive when I hook.

Don't think the HI was the state rug hooked by her for Hawaii as this isn't the one depicted on the poster (shown way below). Perhaps it was a more friendly type of Welcome rug but she is not here to ask.

The description for the rug for auction below as "Homes" and another from the estate sale.

Also on the web site was this rug with heavy machinery; makes me wonder if it was a rug for the times or for a child's room.

The rug below with the pig is the rug she hooked for the state of Indiana where she said "the foundation of Indiana's wealth is their corn crop and animals raised for it, particularly the hog. And to the north is the famous tomato growing section".

Wagon wheels below wasn't for any state but an offering from her estate sale.

I find this so called 'abstract' by the auction site very likeable. Perhaps it was a little different for Molly to hook but it speaks to me.

Two rugs were in this photo from the auction site; the top rug was called crows but for the life of me cannot remember the other rug's title.

But I did think in advance and captured the right side of the crow rug for a closer look.

Sorry for the flash of my camera, but this is a photo of the poster Evelyn so kindly sent me from the Shelburne Museum showing of the State Rugs. Also in the package was a description of why Molly hooked the rugs as she did and what the state was most known for.

Have a good evening and try and stay warm. Winter is certainly here in Delaware.Saundra

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Just before dusk I saw snow flurries but the birds let me know well in advance there would be snow today ~ didn't even need to hear a weather report. Besides, I've been so engrossed in the History Channel series "The Curse of Oak Island" that I've been binge watching vs. watching local news.Now that the long boring straight hooked sides along the border is done the rest of the rug will be lots of fun for me.

Plans are to use a lot of strips from my worm bags. Again....although it started out as an orderly setup of worm bags and container of over dyed patina wool for the border, this is what my hooking area looks like now. I'll also add to this mess by adding other colors which aren't in these particular bags.

Individual bags and my continued mess has made me re-think how to do this 'wooly worm' process. After each mess I'd separate once again, the colors to their proper baggie. BUT, when having a class with Cindy Irwin and saw her ZIPLOC TOTE of worms thought that was a great idea. Yes, have seen bags of worms in other classes but the bags were so large it was difficult to manipulate and find what you want. This bag is a descent size, has a zipper and has a vent for breathing under the zipper.

I've used the plastic bags which bedspreads and comforters come in but they eventually get brittle and crack, plus they don't breathe unless you leave it unzipped. Long story short ~ I'm thinking that instead of separating out this knot of wool at the end of this rug all the strips will go into my Ziploc Tote.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Plans were to have a substantial amount more hooked on the Star Geometric but it doesn't look substantial enough for me to show yet. But 'youz' guys and gals would probably like an antique rug show better anyway.Below is Diamonds and Hearts geometric measuring 23 x 37 from the collection of Kathy Schoemer.

A cute primitive piece of a Horse pulling a Sleigh Winter Scene. For some reason naive' hooked pieces are always endearing. Wonder what color those purple trees were before fading.

Yeah, another horse rug which I also love, is dated around 1870 and measures 37 x 44. You regular readers know my mind always wanders trying to figure out what was in the mind of the hooker. Obviously she used what she had on hand as for textile and color. I see two dogs, a star, heart, circle and are those clovers or primitive people? Also, at the bottom on either side of the heart ~ is that symbolic of the person(s) who were no longer able to ride the horse? Told ya I contemplate these wonderful old rugs.

Fur and Feathers below is 75 years old so if that is an antique guess I am too😄. Wonder who won, the cat or the goose? Bet the goose did. The rug measures 32 x 36.

The Floral Shirred rug below has no provenance but the shirring is obvious. Wish I had more information.

Hope to show an update of my rug in progress soon. BUT next rug show will be those by and information about Molly Nye Toby. Some of you may already know about her accomplishments. Happy weekend.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Yup, comes around once every year like clock work. Uh, that would be my birthday; won't say how old I am after reading Lauren's (Rugs and Pugs) latest blog post 😀.

So today decided to treat myself to my favorite lunch at a not so local Chinese buffet where I dined on baked salmon, baked tilapia, calamari, broccoli and mushrooms, asparagus, string beans and two kinds of rice. Yup, all of that went into my belly and I cleaned the plate. Needless to say tonight's dinner will be salad. Most would think I'd have nothing.And, while out and about I picked up a little something to celebrate even more ~ it is that mustard colored wire basket to display more of my rugs. Am determined to surround myself with the rugs I've created and which give me joy. Besides, if they are visible I'll be more likely to recycle them on tables and chests more often.

Truth is I started treating myself early in the week buying rug patterns. What's better is I've gotten all three at a very good price on ebay. The first is a rug which has been on my 'to do' list for a long time and now won't have to draw it myself. It is an antique adaptation called Early Farm Scene by Frontier Homestead.

The other I haven't received yet but is this design by Lori Brechlin and sold by Spruce Ridge Studios. I see a class with Kris Miller in my future and this is what will be on my frame when that happens.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Feels so great to be hooking on Star Geometric again that I'm even hoping for a day of inclement weather to do nothing but sit and hook.

Sheesh, now that I'm seeing it on my computer monitor makes me want to pull out the 3rd block of border on the left as it is way darker than it should be. BUT, that is a lot of #%!&! hooking to replace so think it will stay.And yes, there are a few funky looking blocks in the pattern which take more time than others and seems I still didn't get it right. As a reference here is a picture of the original antique.

Although I posted the dimensions of my pattern before, will mention again it measures 29 x 32.Had two great weather days here, did some yard work and even hung out some white laundry ~ love hanging my laundry. Tomorrow will be mediocre but tomorrow evening the fun comes to a close.Saundra